The above conversation was between the new youth pastor's wife and myself regarding a women's retreat this weekend. I've successfully avoided it for the last 3 years. Once upon a time it was a source of encouragement but, in my opinion, it became more of an exercise in forced conformity after a while so I stopped attending. Every year I have more women on the planning committee attempt to convince the prodigal to return. Every year I tell them thanks but no thanks. This year they ratcheted things up a notch by telling me the new lady needs a roommate and since I'm the one person she is close to shouldn't it be me? Feh, I loathe your attempt at manipulation. But I spoke to her and suggested since I've been told I ought to "minister to her needs" who says I have to do it at the retreat. We can take off somewhere else, right? She loved the idea but has obligations. Ok, I understand. But how much do I love that she's the one who came up with the idea of taking a flask? No, we won't really do that but we will be stirring the pot a bit. And I like that we get each other. I haven't had that readily accessible in my 3D world for a long time and she is missing it sorely after moving all the way across the country and feeling like she landed on Mars. I still don't want to go to this thing and neither does she but at least we can go hang out together and maybe get into some minor trouble together.

What's wrong with gin? A nip of vermouth and a jar of olives, too. My method: just a few drops of vermouth in the glass, swish it around to coat, then dump it out, or into another glass for the next one. Add gin, three olives.

Really, you're 21. A cocktail at the end of a long day can be just the thing. I mean, you weren't planning on getting lit up like a Christmas tree, I'm sure.

Either way, I find in these cases that God has a way of putting me where I need to be, if I look for it. You're showing up, doing your part... expect it. I'll be sure to pray that you find what you need.